EXCLUSIVE Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are ALREADY married: As bride appears in terrifyingly tight corset for star-studded Venice wedding party, insiders tell ALISON BOSHOFF the couple tied the knot a month ago
A source closely connected to the organisation of the week's events said: 'They have been married for at least a month, more than a month.
'The marriage is fully legal and took place in America under American law.'
The source adds: 'When they were planning the wedding, they were clear about the fact that they were already secretly married.
'There is no application for a wedding licence from the couple because it was not required.
'Whatever happens at the wedding on Friday, it will not be a wedding. Under Italian law, it will not be a wedding celebration, any vows said or rings exchanged will have no legal meaning.'
The source added that Bezos had personally confirmed that he and Sanchez – who met when both were married to other people – are already legally married, and that they had also signed a pre-nuptial agreement to protect his $244 billion (£177 billion) fortune.
But Venice will still see a party unlike any other. Amid local protests, celebrities, politicians and business titans have gathered in the city known, ironically given the disruption, as La Serenissima, the Most Serene Republic of Venice.
As the eyes of the world focused on the event, staff at the privately owned Madonna dell Orto cloisters - where the couple held their 'eve of' reception tonight with finger food and pizza - erected tents to stop overflying drones from picturing the guests. Policemen on jetskis meanwhile patrolled the entrance to the nearest canal.
It's thought that the event included speeches from the bride to the groom and vice versa.
The two three star hotels neighbouring the cloister were booked up to house the 150 staff who are working on the wedding. The guests are staying rather more comfortably at the five star Aman, The Gritti Palace and the Cipriani.
Some of the world's most eligible bachelors are in Venice for the wedding – Orlando Bloom, freshly split from fiancée Katy Perry; divorced sporting superstar Tom Brady, and divorced talent agent and billionaire music executive Scooter Braun.
Former US President Barack Obama was among guests – he and Bezos have been on warm terms for years, and Bezos donated $100 million (£72 million) to the Obama Foundation in 2021.
By her side was Khloe Kardashian, who exuded glamour in a skintight leopard print catsuit that showcased her famous curves
Khloe strutted along the walkway like a supermodel while clutching onto a Stanley Cup and a large pink Louis Vuitton holdall
The event has attracted a near-quorum of Kardashians. Matriarch Kris Jenner is close friends with Lauren Sanchez, while daughters Kim and Khloe were also in attendance. Kylie Jenner, her daughter by Olympic athlete Caitlin, arrived at the Gritti Palace hotel on Thursday afternoon. Make up tycoon Kylie doesn't travel light: her 25 pieces of monogrammed luggage were on a water taxi following behind her.
Others attending include former chat show host Oprah Winfrey and her best friend, TV presenter and author Gayle King, who went on the much-mocked space 'flight' on Bezos Blue Origin rocket last month with Sanchez and an all-female team.
Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka is attending along with husband Jared Kushner, but the President himself – reportedly invited – will not come to Venice.
Both Bezos and Sanchez were there for Trump's inauguration earlier this year and Bezos attracted much criticism when his Washington Post newspaper declined to endorse Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the US election last year.
Queen Rania of Jordan has also been seen, as have fashion duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.
The build-up has not gone smoothly, however. Plans were ripped up and remade over the past week as the bride and groom reeled from public hostility to their descent on Venice, and responded to global political turbulence following US airstrikes in Iran.
They have now left their $500 million (£363 million) yacht, the Koru, off the coast of Croatia, although it was initially intended to be moored in Venice.
The venues for the various celebrations have changed, too, with plans for Saturday's party now moved to Arsenale, the shipbuilding yards, which are easier to make secure. It is thought that singer-songwriter Usher, who also arrived today, may be performing. Reports that Sir Elton John and Lady Gaga will sing have been denied by representatives for both.
Protests by disgruntled locals continue, and are planned tonight and throughout the wedding. Sources says that Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has assured the couple that he can guarantee their safety in the middle of the city, however – hence tonight's event at the Madonna dell Orto in the heart of Venice.
Kim was joined by her mother Kris Jenner on the outing, who was also dressed in black, showcasing her figure in a low-cut dress
'The feeling was that the protests started to die down on Monday, so this was possible,' said one.
Forty people were held by police after Extinction Rebellion held a small protest in St Mark's Square on Thursday morning.
On Thursday lunchtime, the couple and a few of their guests enjoyed a private lunch in the gardens of the Villa Baslini on the tiny island of San Giovanni Evangelista.
The island offers perfect privacy and the couple were able to totally evade the army of paparazzo who have descended on Venice.
Meanwhile preparations also continued at the Arsenale – in warehouse 91 to be specific - which was the last-minute switch of venue for Saturday night's grand ball, from Scuola della Misericordia, after protesters said they would dive into the bordering canal.
One staff member said: 'I can tell you that [warehouse 91 is] a beautiful location. All the tables have a wonderful flower display, and they are putting up large chandeliers in the ceiling – it's going to have a Venetian masked ball theme is what I have heard but we've been told no photos, and we have to leave our phones with security.'
The main event will be on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, run by the Cini Foundation, on Friday. Bezos and Sanchez are due to say their vows in the restored amphitheatre on the island while Matteo Bocelli, the son of tenor Andrea, sings.
A budget of 1,000 Euros a head has been set for the wedding breakfast and according to local reports it will include the local Venetian delicacy of cuttlefish stew.
Gayle King was spotted making her arrival with Oprah, looking chic in mint green combat trousers
The celebrations began on Wednesday evening with a drinks reception in the ballroom of the stunning 16th century Aman hotel, in one of Venice's most venerable palazzos, which overlooks the Grand Canal.
Then the wedding guests including Bezos and Sanchez made their way to a private dinner party at the Palazzo Brandolini, hosted by Diane von Furstenberg.
The designer, 77, is close to the bride and groom to be, with her husband, the mogul Barry Diller, serving as a mentor and inspiration to Jeff Bezos for the past decade. Diller said in an interview that Bezos is a 'very dear, very loving friend' and has also been vocal in his admiration for Sanchez, a former local TV anchor and helicopter pilot.
The party was in Diane's Venetian home, which occupies the second floor of the spectacular 15th century palazzo, filled with mirrors, gilding and frescoes. The magazine Architectural Digest visited last year and described it as 'stupendous' – and they are not easily impressed.
Von Furstenberg and Diller live for several months of the year at the Palazzo Brandolini, and it's here that she displays her priceless series of paintings of her by Andy Warhol, dating from 1974.
Von Furstenberg and Diller are thought to have first brought Bezos and Sanchez to Venice and introduced them to the charms of that great city – hence their decision to marry here.
And their influence on Bezos and Sanchez extends further. Bezos' mega three-masted sailing yacht, the Koru, was inspired by the design of Diller's stunning – but smaller – three masted sailing yacht, Eos.
The Diller/von Furstenberg couple are deeply involved with the wedding. Cristina Brandolini, the aunt of Diane's first husband Prince Egon, lives in the Palazzo as does her grandson, Marcantonio. He is providing gift glassware for the wedding guests via his company Laguna B.
It's also thought that the family wine made by Cristina's son Brandolini will be served throughout festivities. The family is intimately connected with fashion and power, with one grandson interning with the Obama White House and another granddaughter working for both Oscar de la Renta and Dolce & Gabbana.
Yet even for those who move in such rarified circles, one way or another, the Bezos-Sanchez celebration promises to be an event of a lifetime.
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